How to design cycle route networks that people actually use

Across Europe, cities are investing in cycling infrastructure to promote more sustainable modes of transport. Yet not all cycle routes live up to expectations. Safety, continuity, comfort and connections to other modes of transport: an effective cycle route network relies on much more than just a series of individual measures. How can we develop infrastructure that truly meets users’ needs and makes cycling a credible everyday alternative?

To mark World Bicycle Day, LSC360, together with Henning Nieboer, Head of Transport and Mobility, explores the key principles of truly efficient and locally integrated cycling mobility.

Many cities invest in cycle paths, but they are not always used. Why?

Cycle paths are underused if they are patchy, unsafe, not adapted to actual needs, or integrated into a car-dominated environment.

What matters is not just the individual cycle path, but the overall logic, safety and coherence of the entire network.

What makes a functioning cycle network?

An effective cycle network must be continuous, safe, direct and well connected to other modes of transport.

Success does not depend on the number of kilometres, but on the quality, coherence and actual utility of the routes.

What are the main barriers preventing people from cycling?

The main barriers are a feeling of insecurity, the lack of a coherent network, the dominance of the car, as well as practical and cultural hurdles.

The good news is that these barriers are primarily environmental in nature and can be reduced through appropriate public policy measures.

What are the key factors for good cycling infrastructure?

Good cycling infrastructure is based primarily on safety, continuity, clarity and the coherence of the entire network.

The real test is whether even inexperienced users can make use of the facilities stress-free and without hesitation.

How important is the continuity of the network?

Continuity is crucial because it guarantees safety, ease of use and the appeal of cycling.

Without continuity, a cycle path remains an isolated measure. A connected network becomes a genuine tool for everyday mobility.

How can cycle paths be effectively integrated with public transport, pedestrians and motor traffic?

Good integration is based on the intelligent interplay of different modes of transport.

This includes efficient connections to public transport, appropriate pedestrian safety measures, separation from or traffic calming measures in relation to motor traffic, and well-designed junctions.

The aim is not to pit one mode against another, but to create a system in which every mode of transport can find its place safely and smoothly.

Are there any inspiring examples of cycling mobility?

The City of Luxembourg has developed a new, integrated concept for soft mobility in collaboration with Gehl, LSC360 and Tramp.

Lifts have already been built to connect valleys with plateaus, new dedicated cycle paths have been created, and various measures to promote active mobility have been implemented.

The Vel’oh! scheme is one of the first e-bike services available to the city’s residents. Statistics show that the proportion of journeys made by bicycle in the capital has risen sharply in recent years and is likely to continue growing with ongoing projects.

What role can the bicycle play in Luxembourg’s transport system in the coming years?

For short journeys, the bicycle can become an important everyday mode of transport and a key complement to public transport.

It is also a key driver for the green transition and urban development.

With a coherent system, the bicycle can gradually evolve from a marginal phenomenon into a cornerstone of mobility in Luxembourg.

What are the priorities for genuinely promoting cycling?

The priorities are clear: greater safety, seamless networks, improved practicality, better integration of transport modes and a more balanced distribution of public space.

Cycling will truly flourish when it becomes a safe, practical and obvious solution for everyone – not just for a small group of experienced users.